Regulatory Reform Act of 2016-17 Passes North Carolina House

Raleigh, N.C. – The North Carolina House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 131 Regulatory Reform Act of 2016-17 on Thursday to continue consolidating, simplifying and eliminating unnecessary rules and reporting requirements across local governments and state agencies in North Carolina.

Eliminating excessive rules and red tape through commonsense deregulation of North Carolina’s bureaucracy has been a priority of conservative leaders in the General Assembly since 2011.

“The Regulatory Reform Act of 2016-17 keeps our promise to improve North Carolina’s regulatory system and get government out of the way of private sector citizens and businesses in our state,” said House Committee on Regulatory Reform Chairman John Bradford.

Among other deregulation, SB 131 would streamline mortgage notice requirements, allow agencies to fulfill public records requests online, eliminate redundant reports from North Carolina’s bureaucracy, exempt basic landscaping materials from stringent stormwater control regulations and seek flexibility for the state from excessive stream mitigation requirements.

The Regulatory Reform Act of 2016-17 also streamlines permits for private well-water systems and allows certain building classes to voluntarily comply with the Energy Conservation Code. It provides financial and regulatory relief to residents of certain counties by no longer requiring state emissions inspections on vehicles and exempting vehicles greater than twenty years old from emissions inspections, lifting a cost burden on those who cannot afford to purchase newer automobiles.

“By simplifying and streamlining government regulations, we’re ensuring state and local agencies serve taxpayers more effectively while focusing on the critical safeguards in place to protect North Carolina,” said Rep. Chris Millis, co-chair of the House Committee on Regulatory Reform.